|
|
|
We
talked about for weeks. But any forecast was difficult with this awful
spring weather. Even the forecast the night before take-off said a mix
of rain and sun for Switzerland. Despite of it we started next morning. I
rode the first 100km under dry conditions, but Pitsch, Thomas, Peter, Roger und Pietro
got wet on the very first meter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
We met at Sarnen for
a hot coffee. The trip plan led us over the Brünig pass to Spiez at Lake
Thun, then up to Gstaad and over the Col du Pillon down to Les Diablerets.
During lunch break the sun broke through the overcasted sky. But when we
took off we rode again through heavy rain for the afternoon. At Aigle Thomas
lost his license plate, which was been found after a couple of minutes. We
followed the River Rhone to Martigny. The road climbed up to the Col de Forclaz
to the former Olympic host town Chamonix. Just 350km on the bike but
all day long wet, wet, wet.... We occupied any heater in the hotel with
gloves, boots, jackets, pants etc. etc. After a shower a couple of bikers
barefeet disappeared in the cold Chamonix rain night.
|
|
|
|
| 7
am. Get up. The first sight out of the window is awful. The rain is
heavier than yesterday all day long. Depressing. Even hot coffee, Croissant
and Baguettes can't lift our mood. Then, some 'blue disturbances' gain
more square meters at the sky. We packed-up our bikes and rode out of
Chamonix. Just in time the rain had stopped. Through St.Gervais and Megeve
to recent olympia host Albertville. Bright sunny sky. Peter set the pace
on his BMW and I blocked the traffic on the left lane. Everybody could
ride without any risk. We left the Autobahn at Grenoble and took then the
so-called Route Napoleon. A biker's dream. Spaghetti Carbonara at lunch
break near Sisteron. Heading south. Via Fayence and Frejus to European
HOG Rally 2001 Port Grimaud. We
were lucky and got a spot on the campground. |
|
|
|
|
Breakfast
at St.Tropez. Thousends of bikers from allover Europa. We launched a
fisher's boat. Relaxed at the beach and enjoyed the views.
The
most riders packed-up their stuff on Sunday morning, went to the big
parade through St.Tropez and rode home. So my friends did. I relaxed
another day at Port Grimaud. The night was loud and wet.
|
|
|
| Monday
morning. On my way to Monte Carlo for breakfast at Bar Rascasse. 3 days
before first time-trial at Grand Prix of Monaco this town is a chaos. The
circuit is still an allday road. Let's go. Tabak, Pool, Rascasse, St.Devot, Casino, Mirabeau,
Loews, Tunnel and again. But no breakfast. La Rascasse is under
remodelling. Along the mediterranean shore to Ventimiglia, It. Rain again.
And the temperature dropped down to 10C. While crossing the Col du Tende
the rain changed to snow. Novarra was my goal today. I gave up at Fossano.
Water on the road and a shower everytime a car passed me. |
|
|
|
|
|
Low hanging clouds, but dry. North through the lovely Piemont. The
weather got prettier every mile. Clear, blue sky at Novarra. Awesome Lago Maggiore,
through Locarno, Bellinzona up the road to Gotthard tunnel. The pass is
closed, unfortunately. I gotta go through the 14km tunnel. Ride fast,
breath less. Back home at 6 pm. End of a 1000 miles ride.
|
